A ROW has broken out at luxury car makers Bentley after bosses sacked the firm’s chaplain because his position might offend non-Christians in the workforce.

Staff at the car giant have launched a campaign to reinstate the Rev Francis Cooke after he was made redundant just days before Christmas.

They have drawn up a petition after he was axed as the firm’s resident chaplain after 10 years devout service helping workers of all religious backgrounds.

Bentley Motors, which has a host of celebrity customers for its luxury range, confirmed Mr Cooke had been made redundant because the company needed to take a “multi-faith outlook”.

But last night Mr Cooke called the decision “ridiculous”.

Over the past decade the clergyman has visited the company’s factory in Crewe, Cheshire, once a week in his chaplaincy role to chat to workers.

He has also run Christian courses and written messages in the firm’s newsletters, but now he has been shown the door.

He said: “The reason I have been given is that there are too many people of different faiths to warrant a Christian chaplain.

“Everyone thinks it is quite ridiculous. I was told I wasn’t wanted any more and to leave immediately.

“There have been no complaints made against me and my position is to help people and not just those who are Christians.

“I am not angry but more upset because I am very fond of the workers and they trusted me.”

One employee said: “We have not been told anything official about him leaving but we have started a petition as we want him back.

“Everyone is really angry about it as a few of us have been on courses with him. To do this just before Christmas is shocking.

“He usually writes a Christmas message in the newsletter but he hasn’t done it this time. He is there for anyone, no matter what their religious faith is.”

Another worker said: “It seems really hypocritical that the firm is worried about offending religions when there is a Bentley parked outside with a Christmas tree next to it. That tree is a Christian symbol.”

This now gives us the opportunity to look at this and recognise the range of faiths we have here

Retired Bentley employee John Austin

This now gives us the opportunity to look at this and recognise the range of faiths we have here

Retired Bentley employee John Austin

Retired Bentley employee John Austin, 67, who worked at the firm for 24 years, said: “The reverend gave me a great deal of support when I needed it as I was suffering from stress.

“He really brought me back around and was there for me as he was there for a lot of other people. I can’t believe they have got rid of him.

“I know one individual who was feeling suicidal, but Francis was there for him and turned him around. He was a very important man at the factory.”

A spokesman for Bentley Motors, which is owned by the Volkswagen Group, said: “We have a wide range of faiths and want to take a multi-faith outlook.

It would be very difficult to have somebody from each faith.

“This now gives us the opportunity to look at this and recognise the range of faiths we have here.”